The Jaffna Public Library, located in the heart of Jaffna city in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, is one of the island’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Originally established in 1933 and formally opened in 1959, it once housed nearly 100,000 rare books and manuscripts, making it one of the largest libraries in Asia.
In 1981, the library was tragically burned down during civil unrest, resulting in the loss of its priceless Tamil literary and historical collections. This event became a symbol of cultural devastation during Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict.
Rebuilt and reopened in 2001, the library now stands restored — a gleaming white structure featuring Indo-Saracenic architecture, peaceful gardens, and reading halls. Today, it serves not only as a center of learning and research, but also as a monument of resilience, representing the enduring spirit of Jaffna’s people and their commitment to education and cultural preservation.
